Photo for illustration (Source: vneconomictimes.com)
The impressive figure made the US the second trade partner having import-export turnover with Vietnam reaching the 100 billion USD mark after China.
Last year Vietnam's exports to the US rose 25 percent to nearly 96.3 billion USD, accounting for 28.6 percent of the country's total exports.
Among Vietnam's major export items to the US were machinery, equipment and parts with 17.82 billion USD, up 46 percent; textiles and garments (16.1 billion USD, up 15 percent); computers, electronics and components (12.76 billion USD; up 23 percent); handsets and parts (9.69 billion USD, up 10.3 percent); footwear (7.42 billion USD, up 18 percent); and wood and wooden products (8.8 billion USD, up 23 percent).
Last year, the country imported nearly 15.27 billion USD worth of goods from the US, mainly computers, electronics and components as well as machinery, equipment and parts.
Bui Huy Son, Counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in the US, said that the two-way turnover, which exceeded 100 billion USD for the first time in 2021, was a very important achievement, especially given the pandemic, as well as the disruptions and disturbances in the supply chain and logistics activities.
Along with that, the active and flexible activities of two business communities continued to expand trade and investment activities, such as the resumption of direct flights between Vietnam and the US, and the fact that Vietnamese businesses were increasing investment in the US to continue to expand their presence sustainably in the market.
Vietnam’s agricultural products exported to the US (Photo: laodong.vn)
Looking at import and export activities, not only had the total two-way turnover reached a record level, but it was also worth mentioning that export activities from both directions had good growth rates, Sơn said, adding that the import and export goods between the two sides were very complementary.
To accelerate bilateral trade, Son called for continuous efforts from both sides, first of all in terms of the policy. The two sides should continue to maintain a dialogue channel, sharing information, and further enhancing mutual understanding so that they could detect and coordinate on problems favourably.
At the same time, businesses also needed to seize opportunities, especially opportunities from the strong recovery of the US economy, since different forecasts assessed a relatively high growth rate for the US economy in 2022.
He also suggested businesses closely observe market developments, ensure the requirements of legal traceability, storage, information about documents and invoices for the origin of goods, so that they could coordinate and provide information when there were requests for investigation and verification by US agencies.
Overseas Vietnamese honoured for contributions to homeland’s COVID-19 combat
Overseas Vietnamese (OV) who have made great contributions to the home country's COVID-19 fight and development were honoured in a meeting on January 22 within the framework of the annual “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring) programme 2022.
Addressing the event, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu, who is head of the Foreign Ministry’s State Committee for OV Affairs, said that this is a special and meaningful occasion to look back on a challenging 2021, and express gratitude to individuals and organizations who have supported and accompanied the country to overcome difficulties in recent years, said the Vietnam News Agency.
Overseas Vietnamese honoured for contributions to homeland’s COVID-19 fighting (Photo: baoquocte.vn)
Accordingly, OVs in many countries had engaged in practical activities to help the homeland. They have donated up to 80 billion VND (over 3.5 million USD) to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in general and the COVID-19 vaccine fund in particular, along with large amounts of medical equipment and supplies.Many Vietnamese expatriates in Singapore, Australia, Japan, Germany, the US, and the Republic of Korea have actively worked along Vietnamese representative agencies abroad in calling for assistance from their host countries' governments, opening up many opportunities for Vietnam to access vaccines, medicines and medical equipment and supplies for COVID-19 prevention.
Besides active contributions to Vietnam’s vaccine diplomacy, overseas Vietnamese organizations and networks of entrepreneurs, intellectuals, youth and students had kept effective connections with the homeland, contributing to the nation’s socio-economic development, Hieu said.
Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Do Van Chien said the Party and State hold the consistent view that the overseas Vietnamese community is an integral part and an important resource of the nation.
He thanked Vietnamese expatriates for their contributions to the country’s development, and the pandemic prevention and control work in particular, saying that joint efforts of people from all classes in the society, especially timely support of OVs around the world, have enabled Vietnam to achieve positive results in the vaccination drive against COVID-19.
On the occasion, 33 organizations and 45 individuals were presented certificates of merit of the VFF Central Committee for their contributions to the OV affairs and to consolidating the great national unity bloc.
In the morning the same day, Vice Chairman of the VFF Central Committee Phung Khanh Tai and a delegation of Vietnamese expats paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and visited his stilt house. They offered incense at the ancient Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and laid wreaths at the monument to heroes and war martyrs in Hanoi.
Zen Monk Thich Nhat Hanh passes away at 95
Zen Monk Thich Nhat Hanh passed away at Tu Hieu pagoda in his birthplace Hue city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, early January 22 aged 95.
Zen Monk Thich Nhat Hanh (Photo: kenh14.vn)
A memorial service for the monk will be held on January 23 morning at Tu Hieu pagoda, and his body will be cremated on January 29, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Thich Nhat Hanh became a monk at Tu Hieu pagoda. He later founded the Plum Village in France and many monasteries in other countries including the US, Germany and Thailand.
His teachings on Buddhism have gained global influence.
The monk visited Vietnam many times to give lectures.
In 2017, he returned to Tu Hieu pagoda to live his remaining days.
Dien Bien airport expansion project underway
Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh on January 22 pressed a button kick-starting a project on Dien Bien airport expansion in north-western region of Vietnam to receive larger aircraft in future.
The project has a total investment capital of VND1.467 trillion sourced from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV). Land acquisition is projected to cost VND1.555 trillion from Dien Bien province’s budget, said the Voice of Vietnam.
Deputy PM Le Van Thanh and other leaders of the Ministry of Transport and Dien Bien province kick-start a project on Dien Bien airport expansion. (Photo: ACV).
The project aims to upgrade the airport’s infrastructure to accommodate Airbus A320s, A321s and other similar aircraft, instead of only small aircraft at present. At the same time, the existing passenger terminal will be upgraded to serve 500,000 passengers per year as opposed to 300,000 passengers/at present.
Dien Bien airport was restored from Muong Thanh airport built by the French in the 20th century. The airport which currently has a runway of 1,830m long and 30m wide has been put into use since 1994. It has a simple equipment system, three parking lots and a passenger terminal built in 2004 capable of serving 300,000 passengers /year.
It currently only operates small turboprop aircraft such as ATR 72 and small jet aircraft such as Embraer 190.
Under the upgrade project, the airport will have a 2,400m long and 45m wide runway and a new terminal capable of receiving 500,000 passengers a year.
The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2023./.